The Politics of Monitoring: Information, Indicators and Targets in Climate Change, Defence and Immigration Policy

Investigador Responsável: Christina Boswell – PI (Politics and International Relations, Sch of Social and Political Science, UE)

Referência: ES/K005170/1 ESRC

Equipa do Projeto: Co-I: Eugénia Rodrigues (Science Technology and Innovation Studies, Sch of Social and Political Science, UE); Co-I: Graham Spinardi (STIS – Science Technology and Innovation Studies, Sch of Social and Political Science, UE); Co-I: Steven Yearley (Science Technology and Innovation Studies, Sch of Social and Political Science, UE); Researcher: Colin Flemming (Politics and International Relations, Sch of Social and Political Science, UE).

Entidade Financiadora: ESRC

Objetivos: Monitoring – the collection and analysis of information on policy problems – is crucial both in formulating effective policies, and in appraising their impact. UK government monitoring practices have undergone radical change since the early 1980s. Yet there is a surprising lack of academic research on monitoring practices. Moreover, while many commentators have claimed that an increase in targets as a form of monitoring has distorted policymaking, there is a lack of rigorous researchnexamining how far, and in what ways, such practices might shape (or distort) policy and political debate. Our project aims to address these research gaps, conducting an indepth cross-sectoral analysis of monitoring practices, in order to achieve the following objectives:
1. Enhance empirical understanding of monitoring.
2. Contribute to theory-building.
3. Enhance monitoring practices in government.

Duração: 2013 – 2016